mes petit choux

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T19:36:00.002-05:00

Ugh. One of the things that I love to do at New Years (or at least for the last couple years) is go back and read the blog and remember all the funny times with the boys that year. Which is so fun except for the year that you didn't do a good job making time to blog and then, well, its a MAJOR BUMMER. I know probably no one reads this anymore-and to be honest the real reason that I am writing it is for a memory keeper. My kids are going to think that 2011 didn't exist! ;) Or maybe they'll realize that I had a baby and a job and it did exist it was just that I had to choose between feeding them and blogging and for 2011 I chose feeding them. 2012 - different story... blog all the way!

2011 has been an amazing year- one of the bests to date! 2012 has got it's work cut out for it ;) Kate is for sure the best baby that lived at our house (maybe the world). Jack and Thomas continue to amaze me at how unbelievably loving and great they are at being big brothers. They literally love her to pieces! These days are tiring but they are the best. One day soon they are going to choose their friends over me so I am trying to remember that even if i am not the best StarWars player- they will remember me playing StarWars with them.

There's no way I'm going to be able to remember all the giggles that we have had, but I am thinking i have enough scribbled on post it notes to do a top 10 or something for 2011. Or maybe Top 11. One of my resolutions is to be a better blogger so that the kids can have this to help them remember these fun days together.

Cheers to 2012- may it be a year filled with health happiness and lots and lots of wine - oops i mean laughter!

A day I'll never forget...

2011-05-24T14:24:00.014-04:00

On April 17th at 8:03pm we welcomed little Baby Kate to our family! Katherine Ryland - named after my Nana and a building at the college where we met and got married. I am beyond excited to be a mom to a little girl and she is such a sweet baby. After having two boys and knowing we will get to do all the great things that come along with little boys- tball games, star wars parties, unlimited visits to the ER room. I am so excited to think that now we will also be able to experience all the great things that come with having a little girl... filling the house with pink, shopping the pink side of the stores, maybe someday throwing a wedding.. Oh right and not to mention I just know she will make sure that we go to the nicest old folks home when were old geezers. We couldn't be happier with the newest addition to our family. It now just feels complete.

Her brothers are pretty much infatuated with her. She's got them and her daddy wrapped around her itty bitty finger already! They are so sweet and curious and loving- I am sure there will be a day they want to send her back to the baby factory, but for now I am relishing in these sweet moments and hope I can bring them to the forefront of my memory when they are all fighting for rights to use the car one day.

Welcome to the world, baby Kate!

Richmond Thrifter Giveaway!

2011-03-28T14:05:00.007-04:00

Run, Don't Walk to my sister's new blog, Richmond Thrifter. She posts all kinds of great ideas of how to class up your thrifting treasures. Today she is hosting her first give away sponsored by Tula Designs! Check out her super cute crafty ideas and be sure to let us know which Tula Designs is your favorite...

Copying is the greatest form of flattery, right?

2011-03-09T12:17:00.005-05:00

you know the saying "my eyes are bigger than my stomach"... well unfortunately my taste is a bit richer than my pocketbook ;). And, you know me - I LOVE a good bargain... so that is the moral of the post- not necessarily --"ooooo, look at my boys new room. ;)"

Once I moved Thomas into a big boy bed in Jack's room- I started falling in love with this (and about 10 other) rooms from Serena and Lily's collection:
Here's the problem...
Twin Duvet .....................$150.00
Twin Quilt........................$180.00
Euro Pillow Sham.............$ 68.00
Regular Pillow Sham........$ 58.00
Initial Pillow Sham...........$ 58.00
Grand Total ............$514.00

AND... an even bigger problem... I have to multiply that by 2 twin bedding sets for a grand total of $1028- which clearly even if I did try to justify it every way possible... is just not realistic for something that is going to get peed on and barfed in (sorry but that is the reality of the situation at our house - pee and barf). Oh right, that and my husband would have shipped me off to the insane asylum before I could have clicked "check out" on the Serena and Lily website.

I was DETERMINED to DIY it. I loved, loved, loved the room just knew I (with a little help form my mom!) could do it for a fraction of the cost. It's not an exact match but I am happy with the final result- and I feel like the boys have a room they can grow into!

Here's my cost breakdown:
Twin Duvet and (7 yards of Ikea fabric $7.99/yd )...................~$56.00
Euro Sham (made from left over duvet fabric).............................$ 0.00
Twin Quilt (from Target --included regular sham! Bonus!).............$29.00
Regular Sham..................................................................$ 0.00
Initial pillow- Yet to be made! (**but lets be honest, my boys already have two more pillows than they use on their bed so I am sure that will get made sometime between now and their next room make over!)
Sub Total (for new bedding)/...............................................$ 85.00

Even if I include the accessories-I come in $402.00 LESS!:
Frame(Ikea) ......................................................................$ 14.99
Letter.................................................................................$ 3.00
Bookshelf (is really a picture ledge from Ikea)...............................$ 9.99
Grand Total Room Make-over........... ..........$112.98

And it really was a sinch to make... the hardest part was just dealing with the excess of fabric for the duvet...

So this is what I have been up to while hibernating this winter...

On a totally unrelated note... i almost started crying at my Dr. Appt yesterday... He told me I was 34 weeks.... I THOUGHT ALL WEEK I WAS 35 WEEKS! UGH!

What a difference an inch makes...

2011-02-22T22:09:00.004-05:00

We were about 1 inch of snow away from a MAJOR meltodown of epic proportions today! Today we woke up to 3- 4 ish inches of snow...Today also marked the beginning of Jack's Student of the Week at school (a week that he has already managed to figure out is a special day short due to the Presidents!)... Today also happened to be the only day that "Dad" could join us for SOW festivities...

We have been SO happy with Jack's teachers and were ridiculously impressed with the efficiency with which they run their classroom...I think I witnessed a miracle, but I am not sure - there were no angels singing or lights shining, but as soon as his teacher said "1,2,3 eyes on me" The whole class stopped what they were playing with and said, "1,2 -eyes on you!" and proceeded to clean up the entire room. just like busy little bees... poof the whole room is clean. I could use some of that magic over here chez P...
We have the whole Star Wars theme going on for the week...Jack had to put together a poster of pictures (which he PRESENTED! to his class! Presented- like i would have lost sleep for 2 nights - he just got up and presented the pictures to his class!He clearly has his daddy's genes there) Naturally - he included a few from Disney where he "got his Jedi Training and defeated Darth Vader." AJ read a Anakin in Action - a family fave...Snack was chocolate covered pretzel "light sabers". Tomorrow we will play Star Wars bingo...

Without getting too cheesy - I can't believe his confidence! J, you impressed me so much today!

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T21:52:00.003-05:00

I saw these on a blog and I can't remember where (which I hate when that happens cause I would love to give them credit! They clearly did the hard work and I am just a copycat!) I thought J. would have no interest but it looks like we have put off the Star Wars Valentine's for one more year!

brusha brusha brusha

2011-02-05T19:29:00.003-05:00

We had been implementing the whole - sing happy birthday to yourself twice while you brush your teeth in attempt to actually get some of the sugar bugs out. Jdog totally caught on, Crazy T would put the toothbrush in his mouth and actually sing happy birthday... no brushing occurred per say.

My new obsession... picked up on a whim at Tarjay:

The boys love them and I am no longer having to be the tooth brushing police! The tooth brush flashes for 60 seconds - bonus is its even a bit longer than the old happy birthday song and dance... Eventually we will get to one flash for the top and one flash for the bottom... baby steps.

And... just for the record, no, i am not getting paid for this public service announcement... but if the fine folks at firefly want to hook a sista up... i'll happily oblige.

a little of this and that

2011-02-03T11:13:00.007-05:00

apparently the photobooth on the apple never gets old! :)

* if it doesn't stop snowing soon I am going to make plans to migrate south with the birds next year... my kids haven't had a full week of school since I think 2011 started... killing me. not them. just me.

* I just realized that my due date is smack in the middle of the kids spring break. Nice.

*You really shouldn't register your first born for Kindergarten while hormonally pregnant. It's not pretty. You might do the ugly cry on the way back to your car.

*Eeeeek! AJ finally signed off on knocking the wall down between our kitchen and playroom. I am getting nervous- demo day was supposed to be today but since the snow is pushing back other projects for "Fix It Dan"- it is now scheduled for this weekend. It won't change the fact that we still have a kitchen from the days of Mad Men, but I'm kinda partial to my 1950's stove and oven as they still work! My Bosch 3 yr old dishwasher that was purchased by the previous owners has been a total NIGHTMARE- a story for another post! ;0)

*Thomas has made it till 5pm two days in a row with dry pull ups... so maybe he won't go to college in diapers... however- he's playing me because as soon as he got sent to his room for, insert inappropriate action of choice, he peed in said dry pull up.... BOTH NIGHTS.

So much for my new years resolution....

2011-01-11T13:33:00.002-05:00

Me: "Thomas, Why don't you want to go on the potty like all the big kids?"

Crazy T: "I can't go on the potty, I'm allergic!"

How can I argue with that logic.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T13:43:00.004-05:00

a toddlers take on "Fall"

2010-11-06T08:12:00.002-04:00

"The twees are bwoken... all the leaves falled off!" - Thomas, age 2.5

....a conversation that followed the breakfast debate of when to get the super power leaf blower....

Halloween 2010!

2010-11-01T14:47:00.002-04:00

It's crazy-ville around here! Wanted to just post a quick.....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
this will be our last Halloween as a family of four! ;)

Are my bathrooms dirty?

2010-10-05T16:45:00.002-04:00

Jack potty trained himself at the gym babysitting room and apparently Thomas is going to follow in his footsteps!

He peed on the potty at school today! Hip Hip Hooray we are one day closer to a diaper free house.

If anyone ever told the younger, stupider, carefree me I would be so excited about pee on the potty, finishing dinners or days at school with no biting, hitting or pushing reports I would have rolled my eyes... oh no but now we make up songs about the like and well, my old self would have thought that's just kind of lame ;).

If anyone even still reads this...

2010-09-30T12:58:00.002-04:00

contrary to popular belief we are still alive :)

Summer was too fun and by the end we were CRAVING some routine.

"Thank You for Thomas, Thank You for Jack, Thank You for Mommy, Thank You for Daddy and THANK YOU FOR UMBWELLAS (umbrellas- probably not a bad call on rainy days like today)!" -- Prayers of Thanks by Thomas, age 2

Summertime Fun!

2010-07-13T09:17:00.016-04:00

How is it the middle of July!? A few pics from our family vacation. We had the best week ever- even despite the insane heat, ridiculously early wake up calls from my kids and a jellyfish sting (which the best remedy for is vinegar not pee! ha!). The boys made great memories with their cousins and I think I only had to raise my voice once (or twice ;)).
Oooh and ahhing about the fireworks.
Found a cozy spot.

Me and my mom!
The littlest sailor!
Favorite picture of all time!

Two of my favorite guys in the world!
Blueberry picking! Two boys working hard, the littlest one picking his next blueberry victim. He ate his way through that little blueberry patch, no doubt about that! Boy loves him some berries.

what's cookin'

2010-06-08T22:06:00.004-04:00

I have been in a total cooking slump. If I haven't made time to log memories in the blog you can rest assured, it hasn't been because I have been cooking.... Just ask AJ :)

But I think I have found my cooking slump cure! The June issue of Cooking Light magically made it into my grocery cart and it is chock full of deliciousness! I can hardly wait for it to be tomorrow to try my next recipe.

Tonight we have a variation of one of the recipes, Grilled Halibut (or Chicken) with Peach and Pepper Salsa:

Fish (or chicken in our case!):
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 (6 oz) skinless halibut fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
cooking spray

Combine lemon juice, oil, paprika, and garlic. Add fish (or chicken) and let stand at least 15 minutes. Grill to desired degree of doneness and serve with fresh salsa.

Salsa
2 1/2 cups peeled yellow peaches (I am not sure i got yellow and i sure as heck don't have time to peel them.... i did throw them on the grill for a few minutes as it warmed up for a little grilled flava.)
1 1/3 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (I didn't have these and it tasted just fine)
1/2 cup chopped arugula (another omited item in mine)
1/3 c. fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (didn't use.)
1/4 tsp salt
1 habanero pepper (used a jalepeno - worked just fine)
1 garlic clove, miced
(I also added a little pico de gallo that i had in the fridge)

Combine first 9 ingredients and toss gently. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.

I just realized I really deviated from the published recipe... Cooking light might not like me calling it one of their recipes! ha!

summer time is here to stay!

2010-06-08T21:17:00.008-04:00

A few pics from our first weekend at the beach! Lots of sun, bikes and throwing rocks (cause that never gets old- unless you are a 32 year old mom of two boys who like to throw rocks and then it gets old as soon as your coffee is done! Not that I know from personal experience or anything.)

Me and my baby sister before a fun night out... (and by fun night out i mean we were still home by 10:30! Ha)
We even let AJ join us for some fun!
Not sure we got enough strawberries... Don't they know they will be responsible for eating the massive amounts of strawberries...

Apparently we tuckered him out with too much fun... one second playing... the next asleep on the couch. and, let's be honest, that. is. not. like. him.

Pink and Green and everything in between...

2010-06-08T20:54:00.013-04:00

Calling all Lilly Lovers... My AWESOME friend, Emilie, hooked me up with Employee Night pass to the Lilly Warehouse Sale... and I am not sure there are words to thank her enough... here are some of my finds! Y'all know I love a good bargain... and can't help myself from sharing... i think i am still on a shoppers high!

Sweater Retails for 300 - I got it for 30 bones (i know, i know last year, but still I love it!)! Shoes (originally bought for my sister but looked too cute with my sweater... so i think i might keep... i mean for $22 I should, right!

When the price is right, get one in every color! Just joking... Some are gifts... ;) 30 bones

Shirt 8 dollars! Skirt 15 dollars!
Not joking... shorts... 15 dollars.
...don't even care if my kids "ritz cracker me" in this because it was a total... bargain!

Ok... brace yourselves... Can you handle all this excitment!? I don't know if you can....
238 dollar shoes for...... 22 dollars!

Stay tuned... I got my sister some really cute dresses! I know you are just on the edge of your seat! :)

mom, i have to tell you something...

2010-05-28T15:13:00.002-04:00

"I have a new allergy, I think I am allergic to boring things..." - Jack, age 4.75

gonna be a long summer...

2010-05-27T14:20:00.002-04:00

Do you think when Trace Atkins sings his song "You're gonna miss this..." he's talking about:

15 minute power struggle battles every morning to get socks put on?

Or the negotiations that go down to get one piece of greenery into a child...

Perhaps it is the constant refereeing of toys since out of the 1 bazillion we have, they only want to play with the same one!

AHHHHHH I know some day I am going to miss this, but right now, it is making my hair gray not to mention on occasion has me acting like a 4 year old.

... T-48 hours until I can start bribing with the pool! Can I get a hallelujahs!

stocked.

2010-05-12T21:35:00.003-04:00

Something about a stocked fridge in the garage makes me happy (and feel very suburban)!! Come over and have a cold bev with us!

i have an announcement...

2010-04-27T16:30:00.005-04:00

No, I am not pregnant (ha! but I got your attention, didn't I!?) With a nudge from a couple good friends and an urge get my creative juices flowing again, I am announcing the opening of my etsy shop! I am excited to share with you all and hope you will take a visit and have a look around.

If you're in the market for baby clothes, shower gifts or birthday presents... follow this link:
Tula Designs

oh, right, and feel free to tell your friends! :)

destined for harvard

2010-04-19T13:13:00.002-04:00

If you are looking at this...
...and your (almost) two year old is screaming: "Look, Mommy, elephants!" you have a couple of options:
1) correct him
2) bend down and say - "Hello little boy, what does your mommy look like, we should probably go find her and let her know how smart you are..."
3) put down the application for Harvard, it's probably not happening.

Elephants? Really? Dogs, horses I could get, but ELEPHANTS! And after he called them elephants he started calling them alligators... we've got our work cut out for us with this one.

I have been MIA blogger... probably no one still reads this thing, but the kids and work has been keeping me tres busy.

I do have an announcement soon...

2010-04-04T20:57:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter!

a little of this and that...

2010-03-27T07:51:00.003-04:00

I think my husband just insinuated, "Pfewf, the kids are all over me, it's 8AM and I finally got to go to the bathroom (by himself)!" Uh, I'm sorry, are you looking for sympathy? Because I haven't gone to the bathroom by myself since 2005... it's 2010. No sympathy here. none. zippo. zilch. The only thing I am feeling is jealousy and slight annoyance, because you actually DID go to the bathroom by yourself.

I found my vaccum attachments.... you'll never guess where... on the vaccum. WOW! Never thought to look there. I secretly think jack got them out from under his bed and put them back and then poof! Mommy look they're right there!

Just like potty training jack is- magic!- reading. I think it is part reading and part memorization but we'll take it. This is the first book he read: There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed Fly Guy. Such a great series for early readers.

st. anthony...

2010-03-26T08:55:00.002-04:00

Why am I so annoyed that I can find my vaccum attachments? Doesn't this mean that I "can't" clean my house? I am more than sure they were used as swords somewhere by my two cherubs... i need to think like a 4 year old and I bet I will find them.

St. Anthony, St. Anthony please come around something is lost and cannot be found. St. Anthony, St. Anthony please come around... there are millions of dust bunnies on the ground.

finally recovered...

2010-03-23T22:20:00.003-04:00

i think i have finally recovered from the first round Richmond loss in the tourney... my bracket hasn't but I have.

I think i have finally recovered from the barfs that struck our house and took us down... started with Thomas... somewhere in the middle included me in my bra and underwear when the post man arrived at our door... and ended with changing jacks bed about 5 times.

And... just when I think I might have recovered from the adjustment of getting back to work/getting the kids back to school/and the barf laundry clean... what arrives in the mail today... Season Three of Mad Men... i am sure this is not going to increase my blogging because I'll be "busy" (read: sitting my derriere on the couch watching Mad Men Season Three!)

spider born and spider bred...

2010-03-15T09:30:00.003-04:00

and when I die, I'll be Spider dead. So Rah Rah for Richmond, Rah Rah for Richmond...Hip hip hooray!

Every 10 years or so we make it to the Big Dance. Did I hear the sportscasters predicting Richmond to go to the Elite Eight. Be still my beating heart.

I am getting the boys ready... Richmond Flag flying, Tshirts cleaned, fight songs memorized... Watch out St. Mary's here we come!

hypothetically speaking....

2010-03-12T11:52:00.000-05:00

just for the record, if your 20 month old locks himself in the bathroom, it is actually not best to try and unscrew the door knob, but jimmy a credit card instead... not that I know from personal experience or anything...

THOMAS!!!!

2010-03-09T15:13:00.002-05:00

Dear Thomas,

I didn't really have you climbing out of your crib and landing on your head on my list of things to do today. Thank you for adding to the productivity of my day. Maybe next time you could try to climb out just a little earlier and not when we are walking out the door to get Jack from school.

I am glad your heart can be won with fruit snacks and cookies. Doesn't look like you have managed to seriously hurt yourself. Nice Work.

Note to self: Add big boy bed to our ever growing wish list

Love, mom

haircut boy.

2010-03-08T13:11:00.002-05:00

Boy O Boy what a drama-rama I have on my hands... You would have thought he was getting viles of blood drawn at the Barber Shop today.

But despite the wriggling/screaming/head flinching, I think it turned out cute--- it makes him look too old, but cute none the less! (made me giggle just a little that we were this young guys first customer of the week! Oops, sorry about that- cheers to having your most difficult customer to start your week... the good news Mr. Haircutter Man, is that your week can only go up from here!)

not sure we'll be asked to do commercials for Pedialyte

2010-03-05T11:46:00.003-05:00

any time soon! I have been trying to get Thomas to drink the P-lyte since he has pneumonia. Poor friend has has such a tough go round this winter. Just one more reason I need Spring to come!

This is his feedback...

tis the season...

2010-03-04T07:25:00.003-05:00

for American Idol... Is it me or are the judges tres grumplestiltskins this year?? I mean they did pick these folks right? Surely they saw some redeeming quality in more than one of them?

it's funny what a part time job can do for you.

2010-03-03T20:15:00.005-05:00

soooo. last week I had a very important job with 2 (sometimes a little high maintenance and demanding but oh so loving) clients.
My two "clients"

This week I still have that job, but am also back to work for my old company! Can I get a "Whoo Whoo"!? After me badgering them once a month ;) to come back, they (finally!) contacted me on Friday and need some help with recruiting. I am THRILLED to help them out, in fact, today I felt like I should pinch myself because it is the PERFECT balance for me. I'll work when the kids are napping and a few hours at night/weekends/whenever there is a quiet moment. I can even continue to pick Jack up from school. So yesterday I quickly had to throw on my grown up pants and prepare to negotiate salaries as opposed to negotiating additional desserts/shows/minutes in the bath, but I couldn't be happier. It might just be for a short stint, but I will enjoy it while it lasts.

Without getting too much on a soapbox, I think it is sometimes hard for women in our generation. The woman's movement provided us a world in which we can "do" and "be" anything. Many of my mom friends and I have spent the greater part of a decade working really hard to achieve success in the workforce. Typically 10 years + is enough time to achieve some pretty great goals. There was a time where I drank fancy coffee and wore "chi chi" shoes and carried cute purses (if that doesn't make me sound superficial, i don't know what! but you get my drift!)! In my new "position" (aka mom) I am always drinking (ghetto) coffee, in gym shoes and am lucky if I remember my diaper bag -ha! One day in August of 2005 my life was changed forever and I gradually (3 days a week to 3 afternoons a week to no afternoons or mornings a week) bowed out of the workforce. The problem is, I felt like I left part of my identity there- my heart didn't want to be there full time but a part of me did. My "new jobs" were not necessarily my strong suit- laundry, cleaning, diapers, dishwashers. However, there were a lot of the parts of my new job description I did love- my kids, crafts, playdates, blogs, volunteering at school, Regis & Kelly-- ok so maybe everything but the cleaning is pretty fun! I can't think of a bigger blessing than being home with my boys--there is nothing that can replace watching your children grow, an unsolicited hug or the pitter patter of little crazy T. This is the life I have always wanted, I just didn't realize I would miss my old life as much as I did. Anyways... Did you know a part time job is a little bit like a prescription for Wellbutrin! That's all.

reached a new low.

2010-03-01T20:27:00.003-05:00

we got this as a gift for someone's birthday. I don't think "someone" reads the blog but just in case they shall remain nameless.
Well today at nap time I noticed that it had a "try it" feature....and, I'm hooked. I've been "trying it" all afternoon and now have a personal best of 68... i hope to beat it by bed time and I REALLY hope the Easter bunny has started reading my blog and brings me one for Easter. :) It's only 15 bones at target. and no I am not getting a free one for posting this.

it's March!

2010-03-01T19:47:00.002-05:00

... and you know what that means... (Yes, theoretically it SHOULD stop snowing)... but more importantly....

only 22 more days until Mad Men Season 3 is released! Wahhoooooo.

getting creative...

2010-03-01T13:52:00.004-05:00

This is what we have resorted too... painting the snow.... (Yes, we still have THAT much snow...)

Spring... HURRY and get here before I lose my mind...

recipe thursday

2010-02-25T12:57:00.003-05:00

Tried a new recipe last night...

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Buffalo-Chicken-Sandwiches/Detail.aspx

Topped with Blue Cheese Slaw.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blue-Cheese-Cole-Slaw/Detail.aspx

Good stuff. Too spicy for the kiddos, but AJ and I loved it. I did use less Franks sauce then they called for... not on purpose, I just bought the smaller bottle on accident.

thank goodness...

2010-02-24T14:11:00.002-05:00

Thank goodness I was able to escape to dinner with a friend last night at a local favorite, Meredith's... as we are about to get SNOWED IN AGAIN... Enough of the white stuff! Enough.

We JUST got a glimpse of our roof for the first time this week. And now here comes another FOOT. I better get to the wine store this afternoon! :) This winter is for the BIRDS...

oh gosh...

2010-02-23T13:39:00.002-05:00

I am not sure who says "Oh Gosh" but thomas has picked up on it and all morning it has been "Oh Gosh" this and "Oh Gosh" that. It is pretty funny to hear him say it...

And Thank You Auntie Er! Your Christmas present has provided TONS of entertainment (read: a moment of silence) for mommy! YAY!

Leave it to Jack....

2010-02-20T14:11:00.002-05:00

who made me laugh before i had kids?

We were riding in the car talking about Lent and what it means... I told the kids that I am giving up eating after 7:30pm and am going to write my Nana once a week. Jack, what would you like to do for Lent?

"I am going to give up dinner for Lent and I'll call Nana once a day. She'll like that."

Oh heavens... how do my children not like to eat and sleep. They are my two favorite activities.

2010-02-20T13:41:00.015-05:00

I have finally gotten around to doing some decorating in the playroom... We've only been living her a YEAR! It is only the room we spend the most time in! We hope one day to finish the basement and banish playing to down there... but since all this snow has killed the money tree in the backyard... that will be a project for another day.

I wanted to do something functional... and something that would be ok if one day we knock down the wall between the kitchen and the playroom and it becomes an informal eating area... I just love these beauties from Pottery Barn:

Pottery Barn Blackboard $149.00

Pottery Barn Corkboard $150

Our house... Drum roll please....
My plan is to put a little something in that empty spot near the frames to hold the chalk... I just haven't found it yet...

Blackboard:
Frame Joann Fabrics $25
Blackboard Paint (Lowes) $12

Corkboard:
Frame Joann Fabrics $25
Cork (Lowes) $15
Mirror Hanging stickers $2.50

Total = $80

Daughters...

2010-02-20T13:24:00.007-05:00

Apparently our "daughters" only come in the form of God Daughters... and we wouldn't want it any other way! Isn't my God Daughter GORGEOUS! I am smitten with her for sure... and am so happy I have someone to buy those irresistible clothes for!!Baby Emerson we love you!
Look at this motley crew...
Welcome to the "club" Emerson!

i think my kids might be cooler than me...

2010-02-19T18:14:00.002-05:00

They just requested Jay Z for dinner music... they have a weird obsession with the song "Empire State of Mind!"

No you don't want Wiggles? How about Laurie Berkner? No, Jay Z and Alecia Keys.... Dance Party Dinner it is...

if you...

2010-02-18T19:49:00.003-05:00

put edamame in Spaghettio's do you think it counts as a healthy meal?

Apparently the storm I needed to be productive was not a snow storm after all... my mom and I did more at my house in three days than AJ and I have done in 6 months...

- two sets of curtains sewn and hung
- blackboard frame painted and hung
- corkboard frame hung
- dining room pictures hung
- I am too embarrassed to ask her how many loads of laundry she did for me... let's just say WAY more than 1
- touch up paint downstairs moldings... from where the monsters drives their trucks into the walls... i mean from where the movers were not gentle when we moved in...

She even taught Thomas how to swiffer his own room! Nothing like a self sufficient 2 year old! Love it! I'll try to post pics of some of the more interesting improvements...

Wow- i am tired just typing it all... Maybe AJ should go out of town more often! And just for the record... YES, the children were here!

2010-02-10T10:29:00.002-05:00

All in a mornings work....

not sure why its sort of blurry on youtube...

today...

2010-02-10T08:55:00.003-05:00

started out so strong... woke up to a few inches (maybe like 4/5) of snow... thought that we dodged the blizzard bullet.

then I turned on the Today Show to learn....

THE SNOW HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET! What?!? If the snow hasn't even started then why have I already shoveled the driveway once today and it's not even 9AM!?

wouldn't you think....

2010-02-08T09:12:00.002-05:00

after being snowed in my house would be immaculate, laundry would be 100% dominated, pictures hung, and I would have organized at least one closet?

Not. so. much.

Good thing then that we have another snow storm headed our way on Tues nite! Perhaps the third foot of snow will bring some productivity with it!?

a snowy day

2010-02-06T20:05:00.006-05:00

Oh boy did it ever snow! The boys took three hour naps after playing in it ALL morning... I can't believe how long they lasted out there.

Jack's Snowman Measuring Stick... Something tells me we will need about three of these to get the accurate amount!
Biggest Kid of all...
Crazy T helping snowblow

I am not sure how long it takes for nearly two feet of snow to melt, but I am betting it will still be here when we get hit with more on Tuesday! EEK!

snowmageddon

2010-02-06T07:22:00.004-05:00

"It looks like the chairs are having snow babies!" -Jack

Since I was supposed to go to NYC for girls weekend this weekend, s-n-o-w has now been added to the list of four letter words we don't use in our house :)

please pass...

2010-02-01T13:58:00.002-05:00

the energy.

thanks.

totally jinxed him....

2010-01-25T21:47:00.003-05:00

Oh dear, am I responsible for Jack's second ear infection??? Remember this post... Despite him having swollen glands (which i did call the dr about) and having asked him once a day for the last three weeks if his throat or ears hurt, nothing. I think I jinxed him.

Poor sweet Jdog... with a pain tolerance that could rival Rambo at dinner tonight he says, "the voices sound weird!" Uhhh, Jack, the voices? Are you hearing voices, honey?

Poor thing can't hear! Double. Ear. Infection.

am I that cool?

2010-01-25T14:23:00.002-05:00

apparently I am! Ha! For some reason Jack, who has really not had a whole lot of separation anxiety before, is getting weepy for me at carpool and school and the gym.... and bedtime and lunch and no just kidding on the latter two! :)

Personally I am just sort of glad he has blocked out all the times that I sound like Kate Gosslin yelling at her kids and he still wants to be around me. I hope its not the sign of anything serious like that he'll be living at home until he's 40. When I ask him why he gets sad... he says i just miss you and want to be with you! I mean could you die of cuteness??? But buck up buddy your four... going on five and, well, school will probably not ever be as fun or stress free as now! We decided that I would make him a little smiley face to tuck in his pocket each day. When he gets weepy, he can look at my smiley face and be happy!

Thomas on the other hand went to his first Mommy & Me class and quite frankly it could be a just Me class and he would be fine... wanted nothing to do with me while he got his paint and play-dough on! Sat by himself for snack and story and then in the teachers lap for songs!! He doesn't even need me any more... and he's not even two!

the basil needs a snuggie

2010-01-22T08:11:00.002-05:00

even the basil is cold... i came down to find a very sad (and shivering basil plant) poor guy... maybe they make a snuggie for them now? ;)

freakin' heater!

2010-01-21T20:16:00.002-05:00

So the brightside of me says- thankfully the heater didn't go out while AJ was out of town this week. and oh, right people in Haiti are dying and would love for this to be their biggest problem... i know i know.

The bratty side of me says, damn you busted heater for making an already cold house EVEN COLDER... if I usually sit around in my fleece pants, fleece shirts (yes that says fleece shirts- with an s), socks, a snuggie (thanks, Er!), slippers and sometimes a hat, what should else can I put on!?

time for a hot toddy by the fire... who's in!?

ladies first.

2010-01-20T19:24:00.003-05:00

for all the gray hair he has given me... I think it is only appropriate that occasionally he should do something that doesn't make me shake my head in wonder. Ha!

We have really been working on manners at our house... setting the table, clearing the table, pulling out moms chair, opening the car door, etc. I figure if you can open the car door for you, you can open the car door for me, no? Jack's really into it. I hope his future wife will thank me one day...So today, Mr. Independent (Jack) wanted to open the door to the house. "Sure, here you go...key goes this way." As he is walking inside he turns to me and says, "O0ps, mom, ladies first!" I melted. Like a little snowman on a hot day, I melted.... And then nearly dropped Thomas!

I am just glad he can hear. Sometimes I wonder if we should have gotten him tubes somewhere along the line... now i just realize that 'selective hearing' can even happen to four year olds... I am glad that this was something you decided to listen to! Ladies first. Always. Ladies. First.

complete opposites

2010-01-14T10:39:00.002-05:00

my children continue to be complete opposites. Jack has had 1 ear infection when he was 3 months old.

Thomas is on number 7 in 20 months.

Mom's workin' on no sleep. Literally saw every hour on the clock last night. It's not pretty at our house today people. not pretty. at. all.

of course I think they're the best

2010-01-12T14:48:00.003-05:00

I generally try not to use the blog as a "my preschooler is a black belt AND an honor student" outlet but more as a way not to lose my sanity/remember all the things my brain is trying to forget...For example, Thomas will now be referred to as Houdini and has figured out how to climb out of a buckled buggy at the grocery... yep, now that I am on to his tricks, I catch him before the floor gives him a knuckle sandwich again.

But today, I just can't help it! There are times when your kids take a 1 second break from torturing each other by stealing e/o toys and show you they really do love each other- and man is it sweet! For the past two days Jack has been bringing home these "surprises" for Thomas from school. I am just about to die. Yesterday it was a "Bear" (read: stapled pieces of paper- good thing he told be it was a bear before the big reveal!) and today he put a Curious George paper in an envelope at their writing station and wrote, "Tomus" on it, because "Thomas loves Curious George", natch! I wish they knew they would have SO many more toys if they were this nice to each other all the time!

I mean of course I think they are the best... they're my kids!

obsessed.

2010-01-12T13:10:00.003-05:00

some people are obsessed with twilight, lost and the likes... my new obsession is Mad Men. It is SO captivating. We have breezed through Season One and most of Season 2 and I have pre-ordered Season 3 (coming out in March) on Amazon.

It's written by the same gent who did the Souprano's but its definitely not MOB-y at all. Its set in the 1960's and follows the life both professionally and personally of a few of the hottest Ad Men of Madison Avenue. The fashion alone of the early 1960's is enough reason to follow. All's I gotta say is they make my not so glamorous sweats uniform look rather drab. I stand corrected, the fashion coupled with the gorgeous Don Draper is enough to make me watch! Ha. The drama that continues to unfold doesn't hurt to keep your attention either.

How in the world has it taken us 3 seasons to get into this show! I think that all I am missing for season 3 is my "forever lazy" lounge wear and a martini (just like the SAHM in the show!)

i am not even kidding

2010-01-12T11:30:00.004-05:00

After the frigid temps that we have been experiencing (and you know we hate to use heat because we are CHEAP!)... and seeing them on Kathie Lee and Hoda this AM.... I am not even kidding when I say I SOOOOOO want a pair of these!

http://www.foreverlazy.com/adult-pajama-loungewear-unilazy.html

It's like a giant fleece cozy suit for grown ups! Ummmm... they can even be monogrammed!? No, I am not getting paid for this endorsement (unless of course Forever Lazy is a secret reader and would like to send me a pair (wink, wink!). My only question is, it's probably in appropriate to wear to drop the kids off at school....yes? Ha! Too bad Santa already came!

i promise they don't eat a lot of sugar.

2010-01-06T14:27:00.003-05:00

this is why i haven't been blogging.... they've both been home all day literally running circles around me.

and that, my friends, is why I need spring to come.... STAT.

have you ever heard of something so ridiculous...

2010-01-06T09:17:00.003-05:00

I am finally digging out from Christmas... I have backlog of memory posts that I need to craft but in the mean time... I wish I could figure out how to load a pic from my archaic phone because I just don't think words are going to do this justice. Yesterday, while looking beautiful (read: unshowered mismatched and stinky!) at the gym I walked by a woman with not a hair out of place, fully matching gym outfit, sitting at a stationary bike with a gigantic FUR COAT strewn across the back. Really did you need to break out your fur for the gym. I mean i am not one to judge but it did look a little ridiculous, if I do say so myself. Yep, I took a pic. but now I can't figure out how to load it to the computer. Didn't I use to work for not 1, but 2 technology consulting companies...

Now I know I am new to this state up north, but my fleece kept me quite warm and I was happy to shove it in the little cubby to pick up post work out! Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous!
Updated to include the proof! This was the best I could get without looking completely ghetto! (special shout out to ms. bickies for her craftiness getting the photo off my phone!Nicely done.)

Thumbprints

2009-12-22T09:26:00.003-05:00

Doesn't every mother dream of making Christmas cookies with their kids -- music in the background, better crocker aprons on - a dab of flour to the face. Well after a disastrous attempt at traditional "Christmas Cookies" last year with my then three year old, I re-visted my plan of attack.

This year we tried SIMPLE and few ingredients, quick bake time, no rolling/sprinkles/frosting/cookie cutters. Thumbprints it is! And what a success it was. Perhaps the massive amounts of Baileys I put in my coffee helped! Ha --just joking- plain old skinny latte for me!

Betty Crocker Thumbprint Cookies
Mix together
1/2 c shortening
1/4 c brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla

Sift together
1 c sifted flour (lets not kid ourselves i did not sift and they turned out just fine)
1/4 tsp salt

Roll into 1" balls. Dip in slightly beaten egg whites. Place about 1" apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Quickly press thumb gently on top of each cookie. Return to oven and bake 8 minutes longer. Cool. Place in thumbprints jelly/confectioner sugar icing/hershey kisses.

I think Santa will like them.

let it snow let it snow let it snow

2009-12-19T19:44:00.005-05:00

*The littlest snow blower

It is snowing like it's never gonna stop! I don't know how much we have gotten but I am betting it is at least a foot! This is for sure the most snow I can remember seeing in my life.

I better let Santa know that I have made an amendment to my Christmas List. I would now like a snow blower :)

poor thing... he can't get up and I was taking pics instead of helping him!

apparently...

2009-12-16T08:29:00.003-05:00

you can't cut his hair without a MAJOR freak out but you can give him three shots to the arm and he doesn't even blink.

Last weekend we took the kids to get Christmas haircuts...if you live in the greater Philadelphia suburban area, you probably heard crying in the distance on Saturday, that was Thomas. Jack was an angel and loves getting his hair cut and I guess to be "different" Thomas flipped out. Even with a lollipop in hand.

Thomas' stats:
Height: 34 in (75-90%)
Weight: 26.15 (50-75%)
Noggin: 20.25 (>95%) .... he's got a big manipulating brain in there...

You know your in trouble when the doctor tells you so. After just telling him how crazy thomas' antics are, it was time to get his shots. Crazy T just sat there and basically said, "bring it, nurse Judy, your silly shots don't scare me, (but don't even think about touching my locks... then you'll see me cry like the 18 month old I really am!).

19 month olds should...

2009-12-13T21:34:00.002-05:00

come with a prescription for Xanax. I'm just sayin.

Fa la la la la

2009-12-13T21:23:00.006-05:00

All of our Christmas activities fell into this week! So now we will be bored until Christmas Ha! As if... i have 1000 errands to run, presents to buy, already gifts to return! Hmmm that raises a good point, are they "gifts" if they aren't technically given yet? Discuss amongst yourselves. And lets face it life in this nut house is very rarely boring.
A few pics from Santa Brunch. I wasn't sure how Jack felt about the big guy in red this year. There was a little apprehension in the car, but he powered through. Shook his hand, sat on his lap, took a pic... thomas, not so much.

I mean do you want to eat them up or WHAT!? Say I won't use this on their rehearsal dinner invite :) (oh wait, am I jumping the gun!? They're just so cute I can't help it!)

i stuck

2009-12-10T12:12:00.002-05:00

regretfully, Thomas is giving up his AM nap. I have had it too good for too long. I wish that giving up the morning nap meant as long or longer PM naps but no such luck... his PM naps are getting shorter and shorter. GRRRR. Better add that to my Christmas list. Cleaning lady, part time job, and longer naps for Thomas. :)

I digress. The point of this post was that he had me laughing outloud today as I attempted to squeeze one more morning nap out of him to get started on my Christmas cards. I did the whole ritualistic routine, and shut the door hoping for at least 30 minutes of quiet Christmas card stuffing. After about 5 books dropped I hear him yelling, "I stuck, I stuck!" (or what I know to be his word for stuck- i am sure any stranger would think it was just gibberish). For the love of all things holy, what has he gotten himself into NOW!

I go up thinking his arm is stuck in the crib or something but no. What I find is a happy thomas standing at his crib smiling his charismatic smile chanting, "i stuck, i stuck" (as in I am stuck in my crib and can't get out to play with you mommy!). Yes, my dear child, you are "stuck" and you are going to be "stuck" for about 15 more minutes too! ha.

clearly catching up...

2009-12-09T13:44:00.007-05:00

I'm clearly catching up on a list of blog posts that is in my head. A few pics from our family photo shoot.... which just so happened to coincide with Christmas Cards. How convenient that it was someone ELSE's responsibility to get a decent picture of my kids. Remember the debacle known as Christmas Card Photo Attempt '09. Pretty sure it resulted in EVERYONE crying.

Kristen Chase Photography took the pics. She was so awesome with the kids (and adults... you know, my third child, AJ, has trouble being serious sometimes...) We will definitely use her again.

not sure what he is learning at school these days...

2009-12-09T12:55:00.001-05:00

but we were just talking about favorite foods and Jack just told me Santa's favorite food is beer. I like his style, but whatever happened to cookies. Interesting....

melting...

2009-12-09T07:59:00.006-05:00

oh my gosh...nothing quite melts your heart quite like a preschool Christmas program. It gets me every year!

My buddy just sang his little heart out. His school does such a nice program where the AWESOME librarian reads the story of Jesus' birth and each sweet little class sings a song during the telling of the story. JRPs class sang a song about the shepherd. I am sure I will post video. All the kiddos looks so sweet in their Christmas best. His class did such a great job and he is always so excited to see us in the crowd. Thomas ate about 7 rice krispie treats to keep him quiet during the program, but you do what you gotta do!

sneak peak

2009-12-06T14:55:00.001-05:00

a sneak peak at the dining room (budget) makeover.

I'm figuring we should get it done by somewhere around this time next year! ha!

The perfect day...

2009-12-05T21:08:00.006-05:00

Nothing says Christmas like a day in "the city!" We took Jack in for a special big boy day in New York.... we hit all the may-juh sites. Macy's, Rockefeller Center, Magnolia's (for the best cupcakes that ever did taste your lips!), FAO's and the best part was a fun afternoon with some of our best friends... and their soon to be baby "nothing".

The magic of Christmas still exists!
Before the rain.... and snow....
Ohhh my little jackster you are delish... (don't get any bigger you hear!)
Looking for Eloise at the Plaza... he might be obsessed with Star Wars but he still knows Eloise is super cool too!
I know he won't really remember this day forever... but I will.

Turkey Day recap.

2009-12-01T21:31:00.011-05:00

Thanksgiving was such fun. My sister and her family were such gracious hosts. Here are a few of our favorite pics.
Thomas acted like a newborn all weekend and Emerson acted like an 18 month old. It was really cool. I promise. Kids table. They tried at least one bit of everything on their plates. I wish I could remember their commentary. I think the only thing they went back for more was the turkey and even that was most probably just to get the ice cream.

OH Thomas, you are so lucky you are cute and are just as sweet as you are mischievous!

It is so funny to watch Jack call Emerson cute and be gentle with her. To be honest I am just glad he knows how to be gentle :).
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a family football game!

Now it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in these parts. It doesn't look quite like Christmas yet, but it's beginning! Our Elf, Herbie, has arrived (can I get a "praise, Jesus") and Jack was GREAT the first day. I better not see diminishing returns on this elf business.

can't stop giggling.

2009-11-25T20:33:00.002-05:00

oh.... I forgot how hard my sisters make me laugh. Cheers to a VERY Happy Thanksgiving 2009. Let the festivities begin.

i was thinking...

2009-11-23T07:52:00.002-05:00

I was thinking my 18 month olds first multiple word use would be something like:

"love you, mommy"
"yum, this tastes great!"
"cookie please"

Nope, no such luck. He has been running around saying... drum roll please.... "NO, dat's MINE!"

and, folks, that's how you parent.

will we make the final cut?

2009-11-22T08:09:00.003-05:00

Look what arrived down the chimney this AM for the kids....

Dear Jack and Thomas,

There are BIG doin's in the North Pole this week-- it's Elf Assignment Week. This is where the elves get assigned to live at a house for the holidays to see if the boys and girls are being naughty or nice. Herbie had such a fun time with you boys last year he really wants to come to your house again this year. Please be extra good for your Mommy and Daddy so that Herbie will come and visit again. "Extra good" means, no whining, no hitting, no talking back. Being extra nice means helping each other, doing things the first time mommy asks you and helping your friends at school.

Love,
Santa
Do they look naughty or nice to you!?

I gotta get my money's worth out of this elf business. I am hoping this encourages good behavior before Herbie arrives the day after Thanksgiving.

just another Saturday night...

2009-11-21T19:28:00.002-05:00

beautiful fire - check
homemade pizza - check
husband that agreed to a chick flick - check!

we are beat from a busy week. I think all of our social plans for the month fell in the last three days. So I am betting I am asleep by the end of this post....

hmmm

2009-11-18T16:56:00.000-05:00

I am on the train headed to the city for dinner with AJ and his boss. Its nice to get out of my gym clothes and leave the house without ritz crackers on me but I am afraid I have forgotten how to have adult conversations! I haven't read a newspaper in arguably 18 month (I am guessing the sale ads don't count), my version of the 'news' is perez hilton.com, I am fairly certain "the boss" doesn't give a flip who was on Sesame Street this week. Oh dear- the only current event I can think of right now is the new breast cancer screening guidelines which I am guessing are off limits ;) ha ha. At least he likes to drink nice wine- that - can handle!

heaven is...

2009-11-17T15:29:00.001-05:00

when your 18 month old hugs and kisses you out of no where! I just want to eat him up today. (i guess he is making up for all the times he makes me ca-razy!)

hypothetically speaking...

2009-11-16T18:50:00.002-05:00

if you were to post your child to craigslist, do you think he, i mean, they, would fall under "toys and games" or "jobs?" I'm just sayin'.

...how about "free to a good home?" Funny, I don't see that choice anywhere. Maybe I will write it in myself... just joking.

Apparently we had too much fun this weekend... lots of playing and little sleeping has lead to a hell-acious Monday. My cousin and I finished the half mari! Finished being the key word :). We were right around the time we set as our goal so happiness all around. We had wonderful hosts while in Richmond. The kids got to play with their old buddies and mom and dad even got to go to our first CD Release party to hear our 'rockstar' friend's (as jack calls him) band Louisiana Territory (check them out on itunes- good stuff). Did I mention Emerson (my niece) is to die for? Really she might be the sweetest baby that ever did live. Here's to a better Tuesday...

on vacay

2009-11-10T14:05:00.002-05:00

I'm on vacation, oops, wait, no I'm not. My mom is here and it FEELS like I am on vacation. My kids want Nana to tuck and feed and read and play. So whats a mom to do?

did i mention she is coming back next week for the lilly sale. It's like Christmas in November!

I love stay-cations.

i need your help.

2009-11-04T14:55:00.002-05:00

I am getting my playlist ready for the 1/2 mar-i in two weeks (well more like 1.5 at this point!) and I need your help... No, I don't need you to sign up to push me in a baby carriage to the finish line... although not a bad idea.

Please leave a comment with your favorite song(s) to help me get proverbial groove on. (Mom - no Josh Grobin suggestions- not that I don't like him, he just might make me curl up and go to sleep instead of make my way to the finish line!)

Cheers!

disgusting or funny... you decide

2009-11-04T09:40:00.003-05:00

now that the time has changed, the sun hits our house differently and Thomas has a new game.... It's called "catch the dust particles in the sunlight!"

Gross you say??? Well I just unloaded the dishwasher and got dressed while he played this game, so gross it may be but it is free and entertaining... :)

He's walking around going "that?, that?" I know, Thomas, usually our house is SO clean you probably have NEVER seen a dust particle before...but Mommy's been sick, you know ;)

I am choosing to think this is funny and putting cleaning lady on my Christmas list.

thanksgiving wishes...

2009-11-03T20:16:00.002-05:00

Jack took his first field trip to the Great Valley Nature Center today to learn about the Lenape Indians...

This spurred conversations about Thanksgiving.

"Hey, maybe Uncle Al will let me play his Wii for Thanksgiving. That's very thankful."

Not sure what "very thankful" means, but I am fairly sure that is what you will be if Uncle Al shares his Wii with you.

How is my four year old already obsessed with video game playing... i thought this was a year 8 or 9 obsession - must be "gifted!" ha!

halloween '09

2009-11-02T14:16:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween from your favorite members of the Justice League

The kids had a blast. We were a little soggy but Jack totally got the clue this year that whoever goes to bed with the most candy wins! And, he told one of our neighbors who was giving out whole candy bars that he was giving him an award for the best house!

blue light special on aisle 9

2009-11-02T14:12:00.003-05:00

i just recently bought a crock pot at Kmart and I am thinking that the 1950's housewife totally had it right! This 13 dollar crock pot can make a mean meal! I can't wait to make more. I love any meal that requires you literally dumping ingredients in a pot and leaving it for upwards of 8 hours.

This was my first crock meal:

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/11/salsa-chicken-and-black-bean-soup.html

I served it over brown rice and with a little cornbread! I got a "make it again, good" review from my better half. If he only knew how long I slaved over it's preparation! :)

two reasons I laugh everyday.

2009-10-29T15:24:00.003-04:00

Jack is a nut.

Thomas is starting to do this chinese talk. It seriously sounds like he is speaking chinese. He looks right at you and I am more than sure tells you to do something in chinese and then starts hysterically laughing. I sure wish I knew what he was making fun of me for! :)

Going going gone!

2009-10-29T10:34:00.002-04:00

GOOOOO Phillies!

We let jack stay up a little late to watch some of the game. I was making Thomas' costume and micromanager jack was lounging on the chair and giving me instruction from a far. After all he is the most knowledgeable of all things super heroes. He was making us laugh so hard --Year 4 is so much fun.

chapel helper

2009-10-29T10:21:00.005-04:00

Jack was the coveted "chapel helper" this week... and it was the SWEETEST thing I have ever seen. My little boy who is typically crazy as a loon all over the place sat so sweetly and was so proud holding the candle lighter. I know these pictures are terrible but I hope when this event has gotten pushed to the back of my memory I can look at them and remember the biggest smile I have ever seen when he saw us in the back of the church. I have been missing work a lot lately and days like this make me feel like being home is just right. for now.

There are many things that I love about Jack's school. His teacher is amazing. She reminds me so much of my aunt. So animated and sincere when she speaks to you and they are instilling such wonderful things in my child. As chapel helper it is his responsibility to help with the service and then as everyone walks out he has to look them in the eye and shake their hand. Do you think I could get him to do that at home? no way. no how.

at least it's not the swine.

2009-10-28T07:56:00.002-04:00

ugh. Strep Throat has invited itself over for a playdate with everyone at our house. Now ALL of the boys have it. Jack was running around like a crazy person trying to convince me that he felt ok to go to his school Halloween party and Phillies pep rally. Mom and Er told me an unequivocal "NO" (I wouldn't have really sent him). I made all kinds of promises: Scooby Doo movies, popsicles for lunch, stay up late to watch the game... Anything to make him smile after the disappointment of missing a fun school day.

We are so pumped for a Phillies/Yanks World Series at our house! Jack will definitely be a little bi-polar as his favorite player, plays for the Yanks and his favorite team is the Phillies... I never knew I liked baseball this much... it's kinda fun. I guess I better get used to it, huh!?

Off to get my sickies down for LONG naps... did you hear that boys... LONG naps.

Can someone explain...

2009-10-28T07:53:00.002-04:00

what in the WORLD a Bakugan is??? And why my four year old is obsessed with them?

Perhaps I should ask the older boys at the gym. Alls I can tell is that they are little balls that break open when you throw them. Seems harmless to me? I need to do some research.

I think I have successfully put the ka-bosh on the Nintendo DS Christmas Wish list item. There is NO need for a 4 year old to have a DS... even if it is used from craigslist.

since I no longer...

2009-10-26T19:20:00.003-04:00

- suck on toys that have spent upwards of 8 hours on the gym babysitting floor...

- lick the glass doors, mirrors or parked cars

- eat off my neighbors plate at school

-touch every inanimate object that will stand still long enough between getting out of the car and getting to the classroom

- try to pick my friends noses...

aren't i too old for strep throat! Ahhhhhh. I don't remember strep throat hurting like nobody's business. But, let me tell you it does... there were definitely times in the last 24 hours that when I swallowed and felt like I had all Jack's play mobile swords lodged in my throat, that I thought I would rather be in labor (no joke, maybe I am being slightly dramatic, but i did think it!) I am not much of a medicine taker... but I think I have consumed more ibuprofen in the last two days than I have in an entire year...

Thank GOD for mom mom... She came just in the nick of time, fed and played with the boys while I took an evening rest and totally dodged the dinner/bedtime routine.

he's a big boy now

2009-10-21T08:53:00.003-04:00

After a little apprehension... Jack just got picked up by his first "carpool!" No tears... just a "Hello, Mrs. D" big boy greeting.

I sure hope he doesn't say anything embarrassing in the car, like yesterday when I was carpool mom and he told C. he thought she looked scary at the book fair! EEK!

Cheers to me and three and a half full hours with my little man... maybe i can make some progress on this HOUSE!

tagged!

2009-10-20T20:10:00.007-04:00

Biscuits Are Never Boring tagged me! Yay! fun, fun!

So here are the rules:You Can Only Use One Word!Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!Alert them that you have given them this award!Have Fun!
1. Where is your cell phone? Heaven-only-knows

2. Your hair? Brown-going-grey

3. Your mother? selfless

4. Your father? Ice cream lover

5. Your favorite food? Mexico’sQueso

6. Your dream last night? none

7. Your favorite drink? Water/splash-o’cran

8. Your dream/goal? Happychildren

9. What room are you in? family room

10. Your hobby? Sewing

11. Your fear? 1/2marathon

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy

13. Where were you last night? fireside

14. Something that you aren’t? organized

15. Muffins? pumpkin

16. Wish list item? kitchen

17. Where did you grow up? college

18. Last thing you did? soup

19. What are you wearing? jeans

20. Your TV? View

21. Your pets? none

22. Friends? love

23. Your life? All-i-ever-wanted

24. Your mood? content

25. Missing someone? babyemerson

26. Vehicle? explorer

27. Something you’re not wearing? socks

28. Your favorite store? jcrew

29. Your favorite color? blue

30. When was the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? weekend

32. Your best friend? many

33. One place that I go to over and over? Y

34. One person who emails me regularly? Husband

35. Favorite place to eat? restaurant

I tag... McMommy, Domestic Diva, Donges Family, PaperCourt, Summer is a Verb

you can put it on the...

2009-10-20T07:56:00.004-04:00

BOARD! Phillies win.

I was up way to late watching the Phils game. Jack is all about it - I even let him have a 'special night" and stay up a little late. I am sure I will be paying for it all week as he asks for "special night" each night going forward (ugh). But he is so into it and knows more players than I do! And his favorite Philly is Jimmy Rollins... has the 11 shirt and everything!

and the littlest philly fan.

first

2009-10-19T21:59:00.003-04:00

first fire of the season.

I think my parents scarred me somewhere along the line. I can specifically remember sitting around with hats on to keep warm INSIDE our house. Now, the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree- cause I am doing that to my kids.

Holding firm on the November 1st "go live" on the heat. Fires are allowed. As well as heat, IF it gets below freezing... even I have standards. :)

the T is for Trouble

2009-10-19T21:37:00.003-04:00

... this kid has more spunk and attitude than any 18 month old I have ever met. Must be the Irish in him. He takes his 4 year old brother on ... and for the most part wins.

Sometimes I put him in his crib while I brush my teeth and the like. Only safe place for this rugrat. This is not his brightest moment. Not by a mile. (I still can't figure out how he refuses to where pants in our house where the thermostat never really gets above 60 degrees these days).

It's feeling a bit like Fall!

2009-10-19T12:54:00.004-04:00

... which means its time to make my favorite soup!

*pic courtesy womanandhome.com

Butternut- Corn Chowder (epicurious.com)

4 ounces chilled soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet), cut into 1-inch-thick rounds
2 large eggs, beaten to blend
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
4 ounces 1/4-inch-thick slices pancetta or 4 thick bacon slices, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 2 1/4-pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, coarsely chopped
4 1/2 cups canned roasted-garlic chicken broth or low-salt chicken broth
2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chilies* -- i also have used a tsp of chili garlic sauce
1 16-ounce bag frozen sweet white corn (unthawed)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh sage

Cut each cheese round into 8 wedges. Place eggs in small bowl. Place cornmeal in another bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dip cheese into eggs, then into cornmeal, turning to coat. Press cornmeal gently to adhere. Place on baking sheet. Freeze 1 hour.

Cook pancetta/bacon in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels. Add onion to drippings in pan; sauté until just tender, about 4 minutes. Add butternut squash, broth and chilies; simmer until squash is tender, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Mix in corn; simmer until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer 3 1/2 cups soup to blender; puree. Mix puree into remaining soup in pan. Season with salt and pepper. (Pancetta and soup can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover pancetta; chill. Chill soup uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Bring pancetta to room temperature before continuing.) Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add frozen cheese; brown well, about 1 minute per side.
Meanwhile, bring soup to simmer. Mix in sage. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with pancetta and cheese croutons.

I actually am too lazy to make the croutons so i just throw a big lump of goat cheese right into the soup bowl. Add a little crushed bacon and - Voila!

24

2009-10-16T20:28:00.009-04:00

welcome to these 24 hours, ladies (and dad).... fyi, long post alert.

5:30 pm, Thursday- leave driveway for 12 hour drive to the STL (St. Louis)

5:32pm - (end of block - see previous post) - child chimes in with first "are we there yet?"

7:37pm - Phillies winning; Thomas falls asleep. Trip going splendidly, haven't even had to dip into my "treat bag", but where the "h" are we - don't people need gas out here?

8:15pm - stuck in a holler, no Phils reception, husband pissed....damn you "Wild and Wonderful" WV! I am thinking I sure hope I don't need the bathroom cause I haven't seen one for miles.

9:00pm - oldest child says, "Are we there yet?" as he finally achieves sugar low coma/sleep from Twizzlers, Scooby Doo, and Milk

10:31pm - O-H-I-O!! Yay Yay!!! Raaaaauuullll home run! Phils beating Dodgers.

12:07am - Phils still winning, excitment and convo with the hubs, apparently such great convo that Bambi wanted in.... THUD. Smack. Thud. Smack. -insert explatives--. Silence.

We hit a deer. A. big. giant. deer. Oh, snap. You know your spouse. You have your everyday voices and you have your "come running somethings on fire in the kitchen" voice, and you have your - "my dashboards lighting up with stuff that no longer works but I know your Irish so don't freak out voice." Guess which one AJ was using? Yep, the dashboard one.

We coasted for about a 1/2 mile. We coasted right off the exit ramp. By the grace of God, we were dumped into civilization. We looked around and we were on a well lit street. We looked further and saw the Fairfield Inn within walking distance (Bonus- can you say Marriott points!). AJ realizes that all kinds of fluid is leaking from the engine and using his "please don't freak out voice" says, get the kids out of the car and don't worry about anything else. WHAT!? So we grab the kids - PJs and no socks... no phone, no wallet, no COMPUTER! :) Did I mention it's like 40 freakin' degrees? Anywho we start walking to the Fairfield. Trying to keep the kids calm- oh we're just in a really big parking lot... lalala isn't this a fun adventure. (yep, super freakin' fun-can't wait to do it again....never).

Here's where I feel like I walked a fine line between crazy nut case and logical. As we were walking the maybe 1/4 mile to the hotel with our barefooted children, a "police man" in a Lexus stops us.

PoPo (showing badge): "Do you all need help, I am a police officer...i'm not on duty, but here's my badge"
Me: "Aj, keep walking."
AJ: "Kel, he's a police officer"
Me (thinking of the Elizabeth Smarts and Jaycee Voights): "OH, SURE HE IS... ALLLLL the police officers i know drive around white Lexus' at 12:30 at nite.... And, I think Jack has that same badge from the dollar store... (in fact, I think it is in his bag of treats!).
PoPo: How about if i call the local police and have them go to your car.
Us: Great, sounds perfect.

The kids -- who think it's morning-- and I get settled in the hotel and proceed to watch two hours of the disney channel (which by the way is on at 12-2 in the AM) while AJ goes and tends to the car sitch. You should see the deer.... We did or at least 1/2 of him.

The kids were so awesome. They were real troopers, we had no major freak outs from them. Just me :). They were troopers on the way out and troopers on the way back... Just proves how powerful twizzlers, scooby do and McDonalds Happy Meals can be.

We call her Shloopty... This was our phat (yep, that's phat with a PH) rental ride the good folks at enterprise "hooked" us up with. They're really snazzy out there in Reynoldsburg, OH. We call her Shloopty and she is THAT red.

5:30 PM, Friday - home again, home again jiggity jig. Just literally 24hours later, after driving to COLUMBUS, OH, hitting a deer, and joy riding back, we are back to our home. No visit with the cousins in ST. Lou.

As much as AJ and I have had many giggles about this experience, mostly to save us from going nutty on the fact that we drove 16 hours with 2 kids under the age of four to .... hit a deer.... I truly believe that God is present in our daily lives. Sometimes he makes himself more obvious than others. I am so thankful to Him for keeping us safe, providing an easy place to get to safety for the boys and a good samaritans like the po po to help us out and make us feel safe...

You know I'll be at Church on Sunday morning giving thanks, having a moment of silence for Bambi, and praying we don't get swine flu...